Australian Open: Kei Nishikori thrashes Austin Krajicek to reach third round

Melbourne: Asian number one Kei Nishikori produced a resilient performance as he entered into the third round of the Australian Open after brushing aside his American opponent Austin Krajicek in straight sets on Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday.


Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a forehand return during his men's singles match against Austin Krajicek of the US on day three of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Pic/AFP

The seventh-seed dropped just one serve before recovering back brilliantly to claim a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 win over the American in the second round of the first major of the season.

In the women's singles event, Roberta Vinci also stormed into the third round of the campaign by beating her opponent Irina Falconi 6-2, 6-3.

Earlier, Vinci crushed world number Serena Williams' hopes of completing her Calendar Grand Slam last year after defeating her in the semifinals of the US Open.